Moreno and co-defendant Jesus Sanchez, 30, also of Carlsbad, were arrested in Feb. 2018, on a seven-count indictment charging them with methamphetamine trafficking offenses. Moreno and Sanchez were charged with conspiracy and distributing methamphetamine on Sept. 28, 2017. The indictment also charged Sanchez with distributing methamphetamine on May 23, 2017, June 1, 2017, June 30, 2017, Aug. 16, 2017, and Aug. 23, 2017. According to the indictment, Moreno and Sanchez committed the offenses in Eddy County, N.M.

During today’s proceedings, Moreno pled guilty to Counts 6 and 7, charging her with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine. In entering the guilty plea, Moreno admitted that on Sept. 28, 2017, she distributed approximately 427.7 grams of pure methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent.

At sentencing, Moreno faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. She remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

Sanchez has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander B. Shapiro of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.